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MANAGUA – In a thrilling Group B encounter of the 2025/26 Concacaf W Qualifiers, Jamaica rallied from an early deficit to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Nicaragua at the Estadio Nacional in Nicaragua on Tuesday.
The win was orchestrated by a sensational performance from star forward Khadija Shaw, who delivered a brace and an assist to power the Reggae Girlz to victory.
The hosts stunned the visitors early, taking the lead in the 27th minute. Nicaragua captain Sheyla Flores stepped up confidently and converted from the penalty spot.
The lead, however, lasted only ten minutes. Jamaica’s response was swift and emphatic, as Tiffany Cameron delivered a pinpoint cross into the box for Shaw.
The prolific Manchester City striker rose highest to power home a towering header, levelling the score at 1-1 just before halftime.
Shaw wasn’t done there. She completed her brace in the 58th minute, showcasing her poacher’s instinct by pouncing on a loose ball inside the box following a Jamaica free kick, giving her side their first lead of the match.
With the momentum firmly in their grasp, the Reggae Girlz extended their advantage in the 68th minute. Once again, Shaw turned provider, driving down the flank and sending a dangerous cross into the heart of the six-yard box.
The ball found Shania Hayles, who was perfectly positioned to tap in from close range, making it 3-1.
To their credit, Nicaragua refused to wave the white flag. Their persistence paid off in the 82nd minute when Mayqueling Márquez met a corner kick with a thunderous header that bulged the back of the net, setting up a tense finale.
Despite their spirited late push, the hosts could not find an equaliser, and Jamaica held on for a crucial 3-2 victory on the road.
The win keeps Jamaica’s campaign on track. They will conclude this phase of qualifying in the April window, facing Antigua and Barbuda before a final group match against Guyana. Nicaragua will look to finish on a high when they meet Dominica.
Elsewhere in the region, Mexico put on a dominant display in Saint Lucia, thrashing the hosts 7-0 in a Group A fixture at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet.
Rebeca Bernal opened the scoring for the visitors with a powerful header from a corner in the 18th minute. Charlyn Corral then took centre stage, adding a second with a clinical right-footed finish in the 26th minute before grabbing her second of the game, and her ninth of the qualifying campaign, in the 64th minute.
The floodgates opened in the second half. An own goal by Ellaisa Marquis in the 52nd minute made it 3-0 before Alexia Delgado blasted a right-footed rocket from outside the box in the 69th.
Nicolette Hernandez found the net in the 87th minute, and Diana Ordonez capped off the scoring deep into stoppage time, pouncing on a loose ball in the area to make it 7-0 in the 95th minute.
Mexico, now boasting a perfect winning record, will look to continue its dominant form when it faces the U.S. Virgin Islands on April 11. Saint Lucia will aim to rebound when they meet Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on April 19.
CMC
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